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With the blessings of the Almighty God and the in building robust infrastructure to stimulate
support of the people of Ghana, I am confident economic growth. This has created jobs and we
that my second and final term will move Ghana intend to create even more jobs. Addressing
even closer towards the era of prosperity and unemployment and creating job opportunities will
security that I have envisioned. I will continue to be at the core of my renewed mandate.
work, together with the people of Ghana, to create
With the renewed mandate I am seeking, we
opportunities that will generate prosperity for all.
will continue policies and programmes and
This is what the Agenda for Transformation introduce new initiatives that are consistent
signifies. This transformation entails moving away with our key social democratic principle of
from over-reliance on commodity exports towards equitable development. We still have more roads
diversification and value addition. All these have to construct, more houses to build, more food
begun. They will be sustained and accelerated in to produce, additional educational and health
the next four years. facilities to provide and more jobs to create.
An integral part of the NDCs Agenda for Indeed, these are also key demands of the global
Transformation is our unwavering belief that compact encapsulated in the United Nations
Ghanas greatest wealth is its people. Our country Sustainable Development Goals, which we have
will continue to rise as we focus a large part of agreed to uphold.
our development effort on harnessing the skills,
With the collaboration of the Bank of Ghana, we
potentials and ingenuity of our people. There is
will institute mechanisms that will significantly
tremendous potential in the Ghanaian to create,
lower the cost of credit and position the private
innovate and transform our nation.
sector to play its role in the Transformation Agenda.
As leader of the NDC and Government, our policies,
Already, and systematically, we are Changing Lives
programmes and projects have been directed at
and Transforming Ghana.
putting people first, building a strong and resilient
economy, expanding infrastructure for accelerated Indeed, I feel inspired by the success we have
growth and jobs, and advancing transparent and achieved in the last four years. We can be proud of
accountable governance. We have been vindicated, that record. We will sustain the transformation and
as we have seen huge payoffs in terms of access we will make more progress.
to education, health care and other social services. I have abiding faith in the people of Ghana and
This has led to improved educational outcomes and in the future of our country. More importantly, I
favourable health indices for our people. remain committed to the cause of making our
We have undertaken, and in some instances nation greater and stronger.
completed, major institutional reforms and built
strong and viable institutions. We have invested God bless our Homeland!
INTRODUCTION
In our quest to build a sustainable society years our development priorities are: (a) putting
with opportunities for all, we will continue people first, (b) building a strong and resilient
to prioritize education and skills training as economy, (c) providing reliable infrastructure,
the cornerstone to progress. We rededicate and (d) improving accountability in governance.
ourselves to the expansion of economic freedom We believe we have succeeded in creating a
and opportunity by providing incentives for better foundation for safe and secure conditions
small businesses to grow, by encouraging local for national progress.
community development and building the
environment for domestic manufacturing to
support job creation.
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Putting People First is the expression of our
relentless effort to invest in sectors of our
Expanding Infrastructure is core to realizing
society with the view of empowering our
economic growth and boosting opportunities
people through better educational systems
for job creation. Our view is that in diverse ways
and opportunities; providing reliable and
a good infrastructure system has a positive
dependable healthcare arrangements; ensuring
impact on productivity. For instance, improved
inclusiveness by protecting the most vulnerable
roads facilitate private investment, improves
in our society, thus creating reliable pathways
access to markets for farmers by reducing
for our youth to achieve their aspirations.
transport costs, thus stabilizing jobs and
Our approach to Putting People First involves income levels. The extension of electricity to
overarching concerns with redistribution, poor households contributes to lower energy
production, reproduction and protection; bills that support the expansion of cottage
and synchronizes with our economic policy industries. Electricity is also critical for improved
objectives in the pursuit of economic growth communication. Clean or potable water has
and social progress. We have verifiable immense health benefits that contribute to the
achievements in education, healthcare, social well-being of all, especially children.
protection, gender empowerment and equality,
In pursuit of our transformational agenda, we
youth development and sporting opportunities
have prioritized infrastructural expansion across
as manifestations of our commitment.
several sectors including roads, water supply
systems, energy, transport and housing. It is an
important economic incentive for both public
and private operations.
Strong and Resilient Economy represents
As Social Democrats we view Infrastructural
our desire to build an economy that provides
development as a means to enhance
a channel for human creativity that meets
productivity, transportation and
the aspirations of Ghanaians to work. It is an
communication.
illustration of our commitment to build an
economy that nurtures and protects the young,
the old and the vulnerable; an economy that
is capable of dealing with major adversities
such as climate change, while at the same Transparent and Accountable Governance
time enhancing life for our people. As Social reflects our commitment to working to attain
Democrats, we believe that economic growth is a society that encourages citizen participation
important, however, growth alone is not enough in affairs of the State. It is our belief that
to deliver jobs and fair incomes. Governments that derive their mandate from
the people must not only work for and with the
Our commitment to build a strong and resilient
people, but must also be open and accountable
economy therefore, is one that prioritizes
to the people. Our pursuit of transparent
decent and productive work for our people
governance has opened up considerable space
as a means of brightening the prospects for
for Civil Society Organizations and Ghanaians
poverty reduction and personal development.
to actively engage in the policy debate,
It is precisely because of this belief that we
formulation and implementation processes.
have actively incentivized various industries in
the private sector not only to encourage the We belief that through participation we can,
production of made in Ghana goods, but also to as a society and consistent with the norms of
enlarge employment opportunities. To this end, democracy, achieve the best political outcomes
beyond the continuous focus on maintaining that reflect the broad judgment of our people.
prudent monetary and fiscal policies to attract
investment, we will also continue to invest
We remain committed to building a peaceful,
heavily in agriculture, manufacturing and
safe and inclusive society that respects the
mining to provide support to the private sector.
diversities of our nation. We will not renege on
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our commitment to continuously promote the development providing health facilities,
rule of law, the fight against corruption and educational opportunities, access to potable
graft, tolerance, pluralism, national security water, investments in energy, expansion in
and cohesion. In our view, public service telecommunications, transportation and
imposes an obligation to work in the interest housing. We have thus set in motion the process
our country. This is the reason for our quest to of Changing Lives and Transforming Ghana.
use innovation and creativity to make public
services responsive to the needs of the people
from whom we derive our mandate. As a party, we seek a renewal of the mandate
from the people to enable us extend our
In the last four years, we have pursued the transformation agenda. This document provides
pledge we made to Ghanaians, as anchored a record of our delivery and our commitment
on the four pillars of our 2012 Manifesto. to the people of Ghana for a second term for
We have achieved significant infrastructural President John Dramani Mahama.
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THEME ONE
PUTTING PEOPLE
FIRST
In our new social compact that emphasizes
our commitment to Changing Lives,
Transforming Ghana, Putting People First
means ensuring equitable access to quality
education, quality health care delivery,
preventive healthcare, harmonized social
protection initiatives and empowering
the poorest and most vulnerable in our
society. We will also direct our energies to
improving and diversifying sports.
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
School enrolment increased from 7,038,738 Career development training for over 60,000
students in the 2008/2009 academic year teachers at the basic level has been provided for,
to 8,891,892, in the 2014/2015 academic year, while 1,000 teachers have under-gone in-service
representing an increase of more than 26%. training for skills in the teaching of Science and
Mathematics.
A total of 1,614 out of 2,578 basic school projects
have been completed under the removal of Existing Colleges of Education have been
Schools-Under-Trees programme, providing brick equipped with requisite Science Laboratories to
and mortar shelter for 484,200 pupils. train 20,000 teachers to improve the teaching of
The process to eliminate the school-shift system Science and Mathematics in basic schools.
has been highly successful. A gender parity ratio of 1:1 has been attained at
One hundred million (100,000,000) free exercise the Primary level.
books have been distributed, with free school
Over 92,000 girls have benefitted from the Take-
uniforms also provided to over two million
Home Ration Programme in the three Northern
school pupils.
Regions.
Twelve million five hundred thousand
(12.5million) English, Mathematics and Science Scholarships for about 55,000 girls in the JHS
textbooks were distributed to public basic have been offered under the Global Partnership
schools between 2013 and 2015. This enabled for Education Programme.
Ghana to exceed the universal textbook-pupil
The Ghana Reading Action Plan has been
ratio of three textbooks to one pupil.
implemented and more than 2.8 million pupils at
The number of pupils benefiting from the School the primary level have benefitted.
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
Commenced construction of 123 out of the Provided fifty eight thousand (58,000) bunk
planned 200 Community Senior High Schools beds, fifty thousand (50,000) pieces of furniture,
with ongoing commissioning of completed ones. thirty thousand (30,000) computers and three
hundred (300) small water projects for selected
Implemented the Progressively Free Senior High Senior High Schools.
School Programme in line with Article 25 of the
1992 Constitution.
Initiated a Secondary Education Improvement
Programme under which 125 existing Senior
High Schools are undergoing facility and quality
upgrade.
Constructed one thousand (1,000) six-unit
classroom blocks and over 180 two-storey
dormitories in selected 2nd cycle institutions.
Rehabilitated and equipped five hundred (500)
Science Resource Centres in the Senior High
Schools across the country.
Resourced one hundred and seventy-five (175) Technical and Vocational Education and Training
existing Senior High Schools across the country (TVET)
with modern facilities.
Built the capacity of 6,500 Mathematics, Science We have over the last several years invested
and ICT teachers from some selected Senior High heavily in Technical and Vocational Education and
Schools and provided leadership training for Training (TVET). We believe we can do even better
heads of Senior High Schools. by streamlining our efforts and creating a stronger
linkage between our TVET training and industry.
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
We must make it a focal point to promote TVET as We launched the Development of Skills for Industry
a means to brighter prospects and employability. Project (DSIP) under which we undertook the
We must reverse the concept of TVET as an avenue following activities:
for school dropouts. We recognize that countries Awarded bursaries to 1,520 students (including
that have well developed technical and vocational 333 females) who are pursuing science related
education are attracting more global production courses in Polytechnics and Technical Institutes;
and thereby generating more employment for their
people. Awarded bursaries to 2,000 apprentices
(including 726 females) in the informal sector;
TVET forms a central plank of this administrations
Agenda for Transformation. With TVET, we seek Trained over 800 Master Craftspersons in
to empower our youth with the skills needed to Competency-Based Training (CBT) methods of
enter the world of work and create prosperity for instruction;
themselves and their families. Commenced construction of modern school
infrastructure in 13 Technical and Vocational
We have:
Institutes;
Established a broad-based governance
structure including Statutory National Sponsored the training of 148 instructors at the
Technical Committees with wide stakeholder Diploma level, 20 instructors at the Masters level
representation; and 5 Faculty members at the PhD level;
Established National TVET Qualifications Trained over 5,000 Junior High School leavers
Framework (NTVETQF); in garment making, cosmetology, welding and
fabrication, auto mechanics and electronics in 70
Adopted Competency-Based Training (CBT)
selected districts nationwide under the National
model with emphasis on linkage with industry
Apprenticeship Programme;
for TVET institutions;
Trained over 3,500 master craftspersons in
Established a National Apprenticeship
capacity building in current industry trends;
Programme (NAP) to cater for the large informal
sector. Awarded a total of US$45.4million to 617 formal
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
Increased the capacities of the tertiary Initiated the process to convert GRATIS
institutions across the country leading to institutions into Technical Colleges;
increased enrolments of 7.1% in the Universities Provided GH150 million grant to 654
and 3.4% in the Polytechnics. Enrolment went up institutions, businesses and associations through
by 63.8% in the 38 public Colleges of Education the Skills Development Fund to promote
with the substitution of trainee allowances with Technical, Vocational Education and Training
the students loan scheme; (TVET);
Commenced the construction of a 617-bed Extended the Students Loans Scheme to cover
Teaching Hospital at the University of Ghana, students in all tertiary institutions and increased
Legon, to support the University of Ghana the amount;
Medical School;
Absorbed five private Colleges of Education
Commissioned ICT facilities in the 10 Regional into Government Colleges of Education in the
Distance Education Centres to aid Distance Northern, Ashanti, Western and Brong Ahafo
Education; Regions;
Established the University of Energy and Natural Offered 1,130 scholarships to students pursuing
Resources (UENR) in the Brong Ahafo Region and graduate studies (Ph.D and MSc.) including
a new and permanent campus for the University Medicine and Allied Health Specializations
of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta abroad;
Region and initiated preparatory works for its
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
Granted a Presidential Charter to the Central Education and Learning) initiative that is
University College. a capacity and pedagogy improvement
programme for Colleges of Education;
Successfully worked with the teacher unions to
Teacher First Agenda reduce teacher absenteeism from 27% in 2012 to
We have: 9.3% in 2015 with the view to improving quality
and raising further the esteem of the teaching
Passed the Colleges of Education Act, 2012 (Act
profession.
847) to upgrade Teacher Training Colleges to
Tertiary institutions; Reviewed the operations of the Student Loans
Trust Fund to allow for teacher trainees to
Abolished the quota system in the Colleges of
access the fund like their counterparts in the
Education allowing for all 38 public Colleges
Universities and other Tertiary Institutions. Over
of Education to admit at full capacity. This
7,100 teacher trainees have so far accessed the
has led to an increase in enrollment by 63.8%.
Fund;
Consequently, we are on course to eliminating
the trained teacher deficit in schools thereby Launched the Secondary Education Improvement
improving the quality of basic education; Programme that has a component for leadership
support for Heads of Senior High Schools
Reviewed the operations of the Student Loans
and special capacity building for 60,000
Trust Fund to allow for teacher trainees to
Mathematics, Science and ICT teachers;
access the fund like their counterparts in the
Universities and other Tertiary Institutions. Over Provided free laptop computers to over 50,000
7,100 teacher trainees have so far accessed the teachers since 2013;
Fund; Implemented the T-TEL (Transforming Teacher
Launched the Secondary Education Improvement Education and Learning) initiative that is
Programme that has a component for leadership a capacity and pedagogy improvement
support for Heads of Senior High Schools programme for Colleges of Education;
and special capacity building for 60,000 Successfully worked with the teacher unions to
Mathematics, Science and ICT teachers; reduce teacher absenteeism from 27% in 2012 to
Provided free laptop computers to over 50,000 9.3% in 2015 with the view to improving quality
teachers since 2013; and raising further the esteem of the teaching
profession.
Implemented the T-TEL (Transforming Teacher
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
We will: We will:
Complete the process of eliminating the Implement the 2nd phase of the Skills
remaining public schools under trees, and abolish Development Fund to provide grants to over
the shift system countrywide; 120 private sector businesses to upgrade skills
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
and acquire innovative modern technology to Complete the University of Environment and
enhance their productivity; Sustainable Development at Somanya and its
satellite campus at Donkorkrom in the Eastern
We will encourage more girls to select TVET as
Region;
a career option
Improve linkage between TVET and industry Complete the establishment of three
additional Colleges of Education in the under-
Increase capacity for technical training, 30% served regions of Greater Accra, Central and
of the new community senior high schools the Northern Regions;
will be fitted with technical workshops and
facilities to offer technical and vocational Continue to implement the Transforming
programmes; Teacher Education and Learning Programme
(T-TEL) to cover professional training for
Appoint a deputy minister with primary 35,000 teachers in all the Colleges of
responsibility for TVET and technical Education;
education at all levels;
Complete the conversion of the ten (10)
Align vocational training properly under
Polytechnics into Technical Universities and
the Ministry of Education to enable better
adequately resource them to ensure the
supervision;
provision of advanced technical, vocational
Ensure that the new Technical Universities and technological training;
maintain their core mandate of science and
Support capacity building for Faculty of
technology training;
Technical Universities and the tertiarized
Continue the implementation of the Colleges of Education;
Ghana TVET Voucher Project to support the
training of 25,000 Master Craftpersons and Continue to resource the public tertiary
apprentices in productive skills in the Volta, institutions to improve quality and expand
Greater Accra and Northern Regions; the intake of qualified applicants;
Accelerate the agenda to make technical and Provide additional facilities to augment the
vocational education attractive for young operations of the new Medical Schools of
people to acquire employable skills; the University of Cape Coast, University for
Development Studies and the University of
Rebrand and strengthen Technical and Health and Allied Sciences;
Vocational Education and Training (TVET) so
that it becomes attractive to high-performing Initiate a review of medical training in Ghana
students; with the objective of increasing the number
of doctors to address the health needs of un-
Continue to equip and retool the TVET
served and under-served parts of Ghana;
institutions with requisite facilities;
Create an enabling environment for the
Establish 50 Community Centres for
increased establishment of high-standard
Integrated Skills Development (COCISD).
private sector Medical Schools, which are well
regulated and properly maintained;
Pupils and Students with Special Needs
Continue to make allocations from the
Introduce special incentives at the basic and GETFUND for the training of Faculty
second cycle levels for all pupils and students members of tertiary institutions and
with special needs. provide scholarships for the training of
critical manpower needed to drive Ghanas
Tertiary Education
transformation agenda;
We plan to: Continue to engage and deepen support to
Establish a new College of Education as an private tertiary institutions to deliver on their
Instructor Training College for TVET at Agona mandate;
Swedru in the Central Region; Continue to extend the Student Loan
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
Continue the expansion of the Untrained monthly Labour Market Statistics to inform
Teachers Diploma in Basic Education (UTDBE) programme choices and accreditation at the
Programme to further reduce the number of tertiary level;
untrained teachers in the school system Continue to make entrepreneurship training a
key component of the education system.
Science and Mathematics Education
Education Bills
We will:
Government has initiated bills that are
Continue to strengthen the teaching and designed to respond to the changing dynamics
learning of Mathematics and Science and in professional education, education sector
provide special support to motivate teachers decentralization, book development, adult
and pupils; education, tertiary education and technical and
Enhance the Mathematics, Science and vocational education. The under-mentioned bills
Technology Scholarship Scheme (MASTESS) are being processed for enactment:
to support needy students to opt for
Chartered Institute of Bankers Bill
mathematics and science based programmes
at both secondary and tertiary levels of Education Bill
education; Library Services Bill
Re-introduce incremental credit for Science, Ghana Book Development Agency Bill
Mathematics, Technical and Vocational
Non-Formal Education Agency Bill
Teachers;
Tertiary Education Research Fund Bill
Continue to upgrade equipment for the
teaching and learning of Science, Technical National Commission for Tertiary Education Bill
and Vocational subjects; National Accreditation and Qualifications
Continue to provide consumables for effective Agency Bill
and efficient use of the Science Resource
Centres;
Introduce new strategies for attaining the HEALTH
national objective of 60:40 admission ratio in
tertiary institutions in favour of the Sciences. Ghanaians are living longer and healthier
lives. Ghanas life expectancy at birth increased
from 60 years in 2008 to 63 years by 2013.
Linking Education to Industry Ghanas current Life Expectancy at birth is
We will: higher than Nigerias (55 years), Cote dIvoires
(51.5 years) as well as the sub-Sahara Africa
Establish a unit under the National Council average (56.8 years).
for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to coordinate
interventions for linking tertiary education to Infant, Child and Maternal mortality rates are
industry; all on a downward trend.
Continue to promote collaborative
Year Infant Child Under-5
programmes between industry and tertiary
mortality mortality mortality
institutions to increase opportunities for
practical training and internship. Incentives 2008 50 31 80
will be provided to industries and businesses 2014 41 19 60
that provide more room for internships;
Continue to review curriculum development
In our 2012 Manifesto, we committed
of tertiary institutions to meet the skills and
ourselves to delivering a better and improved
human capital needs of industry;
healthcare system. Resulting from the strategic
Support the Ghana Statistical Service to investments made by the NDC Government,
resume the production and publication of the we achieved our target and we are working
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
Ten (10) Polyclinics in the Central Region at Treated 66% of infected pregnant women to
Bisease, Gomoa Dawurampong, Binpong prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV;
Akunfude, Etsii Sunkwa, Asikuma Gyamena, Reduced drastically the prevalence of HIV
Agona Duakwa, Biriwa, Ekumfi Narkwa, Twifo among exposed babies to 8% at birth and 21%
Atimokwa and Gomoa Potsin; after breastfeeding down from 32%.
One (1) Polyclinic at Bamboi.
Additional 20 Polyclinics will be constructed in National Medical Equipment Replacement
Ashanti, Volta, Eastern and Upper East Regions. Programme
We have provided and supplied critical
Health Centres
diagnostic and treatment equipment such as
We have constructed 18 Health Centres across
MRI machines, CT scan, fluoroscopy machine,
the country.
x-ray machines, digital mammography
CHPS Compounds machines, oxygen plants and ambulances to
We have completed over 1,200 CHPS over 150 hospitals across the country.
Compounds and an additional 1,600 are under
construction. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
We have:
HIV/AIDS
Increased the out-patient utilisation of the
We have
NHIS from 9.3 million in 2008 to 29.6 million
Reduced annual AIDS deaths by 43%; in 2015;
Achieved over 50% reduction in transmission Increased claims payment from GH183
of HIV from mother-to-child; Million in 2008 to GH1,073 billion in 2014;
Provided PMTCT (Preventing Mother to Child
Established new Claims Processing Centres
Transmission) services to 81% of pregnant
at Tamale, Cape Coast and Kumasi to
women;
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
decentralise and expedite processing of claims Create more spaces for maternal and neonatal
by service providers; care in existing health facilities;
Introduced e-Claims to deal with logistic Reduce further mother to child HIV
challenges and reduce physical paper claims. transmission;
Accident and Trauma Centre Motivate health workers by ensuring
appropriate and rewarding conditions of
We have conducted preparatory work for the service that respond to changing trends in
establishment of an Accident and Emergency healthcare;
Hospital at Buipe to cater for emergency and
accident victims in the northern part of the Increase supply and fair distribution of health
central spine arterial road network. personnel across the country;
Scale up the implementation of e-Health
OUR COMMITMENT systems piloted in Korle-bu, Wa and Zebila
(2017-2021) hospitals to all secondary and tertiary
hospitals;
In our next term, we will undertake the Ensure strict compliance with data protection
following: laws of the country to protect the medical
Diversify the sources of funding for the NHIS records and the privacy of patients;
by allocating an approved percentage of the Complete ongoing Regional Hospitals in
ABFA from our Petroleum Revenue; Ashanti and Upper West regions;
Continue to prioritise access, equity,
Complete construction of regional hospitals in
affordability and reliability of health services;
Upper East, Eastern and Western Regions;
Reduce the incidence of malaria by 50%;
Undertake a comprehensive upgrade of the
Reduce cases of maternal and neonatal deaths Tema General Hospital;
by a further 50%;
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
Mainstream mental healthcare into the It is estimated that about 80% of the worlds
health delivery system and ensure adequate population rely on herbal medicine, creating a
resourcing and infrastructural development; huge world market for the product. Between
2008 and 2013, export of medicinal plants from
Continue to provide Polyclinics and District Ghana increased five-fold from US$8million to
Hospitals especially in the newly created approximately US$ 40million.
districts;
In the next four years, we will:
Continue the construction of the 120-bed Support the large-scale cultivation of
Bekwai Hospital in the Ashanti Region; medicinal plants for export;
Complete 15 Polyclinics in the Greater Accra Support the manufacture of traditional
and Central Regions; remedies for diseases;
Construct 20 Polyclinics in Ashanti, Eastern, Create a permanent body to review the Ghana
Volta and Upper East Regions; Herbal Pharmacopoeia on a regular basis;
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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
HIV/AIDS and the 90-90-90 Fast-Track Targets drastically improve mental healthcare in Ghana.
by 2020 To this end, we will stimulate the training of
more psychiatric specialists (doctors and nurses),
We shall prioritise and implement the National
encourage more psychologists and allied
Strategic Plan 2016-2020 on HIV/AIDS and work
professionals to specialise in mental health care
towards achieving the 90-90-90 fast-track
and ensure mainstreaming of mental healthcare
targets (90% of People Living with HIV know
in our hospitals.
their status, 90% of People Living with HIV on
Antiretroviral treatment and 90% immune We will move the Accra Psychiatric Hospital
suppression). to Pantang and develop the Pantang Mental
Hospital into a first class mental health facility.
The priorities shall include strengthening of
We will build two additional psychiatric
strategic information and health systems,
hospitals in Ashanti and the Northern Regions.
community empowerment to scale up HIV
testing, treatment and targeted behaviour
change among others. PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOR HEALTH
Additionally, we will continue to work to AND WELL BEING
eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV Ghana continues to be affected by the
by 2017 and meet the needs of adolescents and double burden of communicable and non-
youth. communicable disease. While establishing the
National Infectious Disease Centre, stepping
MENTAL HEALTH up campaigns and undertaking activities to
improve personal hygiene and sanitation to
We shall prioritise mental health care and deal with communicable diseases, we shall
ensure strict implementation of the Mental also vigorously create national awareness on
Health Act 2012 (Act 846) by working with local the need to combat lifestyle diseases such as
and international partners to galvanise support diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure
for the attainment of the objectives that will and stroke.
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THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
In addition to Physical Education Exercises in Established and launched the Youth Enterprise
schools, we shall promote the establishment Support (YES) Initiative, which has led to the
of Community Residence Health Teams to provision of support for over 100 youth start-
encourage regular communal physical exercise, ups in one year;
regular drills in Basic Life Support and Health Provided legal backing - Youth Employment
Talks, with the view to inculcating healthy Act 2015 (Act 887) for the Youth Employment
lifestyles in the citizenry. Agency, which is currently employing about
100,000 youth under its modules;
Created 21,045 jobs under the Rural Enterprise
YOUTH & SPORTS
Project;
The NDC Government recognises that Ghanas
population is youthful, hence the need for Created 21,802 jobs under the Opportunities
policies and programmes that will harness Industrialisation Centres (OIC), National
and develop their potential for national Vocational Training Institute;
development. In line with this, the next NDC Created over 9,000 jobs under the Cocoa
Government will continue to invest in job Seedlings Production Project;
creation for the youth, youth empowerment
and sports development. This will create the Revamped the Ghana Broiler Re-vitalisation
environment for the youth to attain excellence Project;
in the pursuit of opportunities in this country. It Provided training and financial support for
will also enable the youth to excel in local and over 100 youth under the Youth Enterprise
international sporting competitions. Support (YES) Fund;
Assisted 2,000 youth under the Graduate
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS Business Support Scheme;
Provided support to over 190,000 persons
In the Youth Sector, the NDC Government has
through the Microfinance and Small Loan
achieved the following:
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
Increased the LEAP beneficiary households iv. Human Trafficking Legislative Instrument
from 71,000 in January 2013 to 146,074 in June
v. Domestic Violence Legislative Instrument.
2016;
Launched the National Gender Policy to
Increased the proportion of the District
mainstream Gender Equality and Womens
Assemblies Common Fund allocated to
Empowerment into Ghanas development
Persons with Disability by 50%;
efforts;
Proposed amendments to the Persons with
Granted educational scholarships to over
Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) to make it
300 girls and trained them in masonry and
consistent with the UN Convention on the
spraying mechanics;
Rights of Persons with Disability;
Launched the first Government Shelter for
Developed a draft on Ghana Accessibility
abused women and children;
Standards on the built environment in
collaboration with the Ghana Standards Shut down the witches camp at Bonyase in
Authority to facilitate access for persons with the Northern Region;
disability;
Provided free NHIS registration for over 800
Introduced the Elderly Persons Welfare Card inmates of witches camps.
(EBAN) to 10,526 elderly persons above 65
We will empower women to take control of
years to provide 50% rebate on Metro Mass
their reproductive health.
transport fare for the elderly, priority access
to all social services, transport terminals, We will promote population control.
hospitals and banks;
Finalised the National Ageing Bill for Children
submission to Parliament;
We have
Registered over 92,000 people comprising
Launched the Justice for Children Policy;
11,000 prisoners, over 10,000 Persons with
Disability, over 10,000 elderly persons, 60,000 Finalised the Legislative Instrument for child
LEAP beneficiaries and 1,000 female head adoption under the Childrens Act 1998 (Act
porters (Kayayei) free of charge on the NHIS; 560);
Provided LEAP support for inmates of witches Finalised Foster Care Regulations under the
camps, state orphanages and leprosaria; Childrens Act 1998(Act 560);
Set up coordinated gender-based response Amended the Childrens Act 1998 (Act 560);
centres at Mallam Atta and Agbogbloshie Established a Central Adoption Authority;
markets to provide counseling services,
Initiated a national campaign against child
humanitarian and psycho-social support to
marriages;
head porters (Kayayei) and other vulnerable
market women. Created three additional child assault
treatment centres in Effia Nkwanta, Komfo
Anokye and Tamale Hospitals to treat abused
Gender children;
We undertook the following activities: Implemented the Child and Family Welfare
Strengthened the gender legal framework by Policy 2015 on pilot basis in 20 selected
working on the following bills which are at districts;
various stages of completion: Commenced the registration of all 1.7million
pupils in school-feeding schools on the NHIS;
i. Affirmative Action Bill
Increased the number of children on the
ii. Intestate Succession (Amendment) Bill
school-feeding programme from 440,000 in
iii. Property Rights of Spouses Bill 2008 to 1,700,000 in 2015.
THEME 1 PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
28 |
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THEME 1
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THEME TWO
STRONG ECONOMY
FOR JOBS &
TRANSFORMATION
30 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
Ghanas economy has seen steady progress over the past few decades and investor confidence
continues to improve with the attainment of Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC) status.
The average GDP growth rate over the seven-year period spanning 2009 to 2015 is 6.8% per
annum compared to 5.8% per annum from 2001 to 2008 and 4.4% between 1993 and 1999.
Macroeconomic stability remains key to the attainment of accelerated growth and
development. With prudent and effective management of the economy, we have seen
sustained growth over the last few years despite the challenging context of global economic
volatilities (precipitous fall in commodity prices) and an economy in transition with attendant
dwindling concessional financing and increasing cost of credit.
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THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
GIHOC distilleries
32 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
exports and expand access to both international are maintained at sustainable levels into the
and domestic markets with import substitution, longer term.
thus improving foreign exchange earnings of
The NDC Government will work to ensure
government and providing relative stability in the
that the fiscals do not pose problems for
foreign exchange market.
debt management, especially as outlined
Having reined in the fiscal excesses that in our Medium Term Debt Strategy (MTDS),
characterised election years, prudence in public which focuses on managing the risk exposure
expenditures will continue to be a top priority to associated with the existing debt portfolio
ensure the fiscal and macroeconomic stability of and taking the necessary and prudent steps
the country. We will rationalize the fiscal space, to mitigate the potential risk that would be
especially the tariff regimes to ensure that embedded in current and future borrowing. With
taxation and other tariffs are instruments of improved sovereign rating of Ghana, the private
industrial development and trade facilitation so sector can borrow internationally at lower rates
that, supported by government, the private sector to invest and promote job creation.
can become the engine of employment creation,
Consequently, the continued transformation will
enhanced incomes, growth and wealth creation.
entail:
The revenues accrued will be used to leverage
Acceleration of inclusive economic growth;
private sector investments. In order to optimise
the use of tariffs and other taxes, both as revenue Reinforcement of local content policies;
generation and trade facilitation instruments, and
Control of inflation;
to promote industrial development, Government
has established the Ghana International Trade Currency stabilization and improvement
Commission (GITC) with the mandate, inter alia, in levels of international reserves through
to: sustainable export-led policies;
Monitor and review the pattern of Ghanas Reduction in the Debt-to-GDP ratio through
international trade and advise on matters further enhancement of our debt-management
affecting trade and industry; policies; and
Study, identify and recommend tariff levels for The creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs
specific sectors of the economy with due regard in both the formal and informal sectors of the
to the effective rate of protection without the economy.
blanket removal of duties on all imports and We will target increased growth rates in the
Conduct studies and publish reports on the agriculture and services sector as well as
competitiveness of Ghanas tariff structure and revitalize the industry sector, particularly the
the impact of the tariff structure on domestic manufacturing sub-sector.
industry, market access opportunities and
challenges in relation to exports from Ghana; Macroeconomic Targets
With improved private sector competitiveness Fiscal Policy
(as a result of rationalized tariff regimes for
growth and stronger taxable income) revenues Our fiscal policy will aim to:
will increase to reduce the fiscal deficits and also
reduce dependence on debt. It is expected that Ensure a transparent, effective and efficient
the associated improved revenues and reduced natural resource management regime including
monetization of fiscal deficits, interest rates on oil and gas resource management;
private sector loans will fall and make credit more Consolidate the processes for the management
accessible at competitive rates. of public finances to improve reporting,
Germane to the fiscal rationalization accountability and transparency;
for macroeconomic stability is the debt Implement the Revenue Administration Act
management objective to source funds to meet as well as Regulations to, among other things,
public financing needs and payment obligations move revenue processes to an electronic
at the minimum competitive cost and prudent platform;
level of risk, as well as to ensure that public debts
| 33
THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
Continue to pursue policies that will ensure While we recognise that a lot has already been
fiscal prudence and avoid excessive budget done, we also concede that some issues remain
deficits; to be addressed. In line with this, the NDC
Government will continue to work assiduously
Accelerate the implementation of the Public
to create the appropriate socio-economic
Financial Management Reforms, including the
environment for providing working people with
Integrated Financial Management Information
their basic human needs, to enhance productivity
Systems (GIFMIS) and Programme-Based
for accelerated national development.
Budgeting (PBB);
All over the world, sustainable job creation
Rationalise the tax system to reduce the burden
has become central to the attainment of the
on the few and
socio-economic policies of Governments. We
Simplify the tax system to make it more are committed to roll out special projects and
efficient and robust. programmes to propel the creation of more
sustainable jobs in both the formal and informal
Monetary Policy
sectors.
Our monetary policy will aim to: Through direct Government interventions
and partnerships with the private sector, the
Encourage the Bank of Ghana to continue to following job opportunities have been created:
implement policies that emphasize low and
stable inflation rates, as well as a stable and Between 2013 and 2015, Government through
productive exchange rate regime to enhance the Export Trade Agricultural and Industrial
trade competitiveness; Development Fund (EDAIF) supported local
industries to the tune of GH245.4 million. This
Support the Bank of Ghana to initiate and amount funded 125 different projects in the
implement policies that will compel commercial production of pharmaceuticals, rice, sheanut,
banks to reduce the spread between their poultry and textiles, creating thousands of jobs;
borrowing and lending rates;
The Skills Development Fund (implemented by
Scale-up processes, including not only working COTVET) has disbursed a total of GH150 million
closely with the Telecommunication Companies to 654 businesses, which have trained 93,600
to reduce the high level of cash transactions but people in various skills across all sectors of the
also supporting the use of electronic payment economy. A total of 43,485 businesses have also
platforms to effect payments for all forms of received various forms of support under the
financial obligations to public institutions; Fund;
Continue to strengthen the capital market; In line with the policy to attain 100% local
Encourage the Bank of Ghana to support our printing of textbooks, contracts have been
job creation agenda and economic growth awarded to Ghanaian printing firms and
through financial intermediation alongside the publishers. This policy, alongside the removal of
attainment of price stability; duties on imported raw materials for printing
textbooks, is creating about 4,000 jobs;
Support the implementation of the Ghana
Depositors Protection law to protect small Under the Free Zones Board, a total of 69
depositors in the micro-finance industry. companies were established between 2013
and 2015, leading to the employment of 16,372
people;
JOB CREATION
The Youth in Agriculture programme employed
The NDC Government has over the years 23,000 youth in 2013 bringing the total number
successfully implemented the Single Spine of young farmers under the programme to
Pay Policy, stabilized the exchange rate regime, 81,150;
improved the macroeconomic environment,
enhanced government-labour relationship and The Department of Cooperatives registered a
implemented targeted policies and programmes total of 1,757 Youth Co-operatives in all the 10
to improve the living standards of working people regions leading to the creation of 34,657 jobs;
in Ghana. The Rural Enterprises Project led to the creation
34 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
of 21,045 jobs across the country between 2013 carpenters, welders, steel benders, electricians
and 2015; and painters, among others, are currently
employed at various sites;
GRATIS Foundation under the Ministry of Trade
and Industry created 500 jobs through the We distributed 110 million cocoa seedlings to
production of agricultural implements; farmers between 2014 and 2016 crop seasons.
This has created 9,000 jobs across 418 nursery
The Micro Finance and Small Loan Centre
sites. Since the programme was launched in
(MASLOC) advanced micro credit to a total
2014, over 30,000 youth have signed up in the
of 190,607 beneficiaries between 2010 and
cocoa growing areas;
2015. This has enabled the beneficiaries to
set up micro businesses, which are offering The pilot phase of the Ghana Broiler Re-
jobs to themselves and others. The Centre has vitalisation Project was launched in July 2014.
also distributed 953 vehicles for commercial A total of 650,000 birds were raised, processed
transport, and 25 tractors for agricultural use; and sold in 2015. This created 350 direct jobs and
7,800 indirect jobs for poultry farmers and the
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is offering
youth along the poultry value chain.
employment to over 100,000 youth;
The first batch of over 100 beneficiaries of the
Youth Enterprise Support (YES) initiative has THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND
received financial support to establish and grow LIVELIHOOD EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME
their own businesses after intensive training (ETLEP)
and mentoring in business management; Having stabilized the economy by reducing the
budget deficit to single digit, stabilizing the
Following the massive Government investment
exchange rate, and also GDP growth projected to
in the construction of hospitals, roads, schools,
be above 8% in 2017, the next NDC Government
water, energy, housing and market projects, over
will implement the Economic Transformation and
400,000 professionals and artisans, architects,
Livelihood Empowerment Programme (ETLEP)
engineers, quantity surveyors, masons,
with the view to creating more employment
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THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
opportunities particularly for the youth, the youth to identify economic potential in the
enhancing incomes, growing the economy and agricultural space in Ghana. We will continue
ensuring socioeconomic transformation. to provide training in agricultural production,
entrepreneurial skills development (business
Our employment initiative will focus on the
excellence), supervision and monitoring for
attainment of social inclusion and integration
youth in agriculture.
of young people into the world of work. Specific
challenges to be addressed include labour market Consequently, the next NDC administration will
barriers, job matching problems, lack of labour focus on a job creation strategy that targets
market information, as well as inadequate manufacturing, agriculture and agribusiness,
technical, soft and life skills. Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES),
implementation of the National Infrastructure
A combination of private and public initiatives
Plan, small and medium scale business
will continue to be deployed and enhanced to
enterprises, special development zones and
facilitate massive job creation for the youth. It
tourism.
shall include among others:
We intend to:
Infrastructure/Labour Intensive works
Following the formal launch of the Labour- Create jobs through promoting
Intensive Public Works policy, the NDC entrepreneurship and direct job programmes;
Government will employ over 300,000 unskilled
Introduce programmes to address labour supply
people in public works;
and to increase productivity and employability
ICT Jobs Following the establishment of the of the youth;
Business Process Out-Sourcing (BPO) Centre
Establish a Human Resource Database for
near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and
Ghana;
completion of the Advance Building at the
Tema ICT park, we will continue to create more Expand the scope of the Local Content Act to
digital jobs for the digital youth through a cover other sectors of the economy, such as
comprehensive ICT training programme for the construction and mining;
youth;
Establish Employment Service Providers in all
Sugar Estates With the establishment of MMDAs and set job outcome targets for these
the Komenda Sugar Factory and further service providers;
development of sugar plantations and irrigation
Establish a Labour Market Information System;
facilities in other parts of the country, we will
upscale the production of sugar from 7,000mt Rebrand the Labour Department to become a
to 20,000mt to create 20,000 additional jobs National Employment Center to hold a database
and situate Ghana as a net exporter of sugar; of Ghanaians and their qualifications and skills
sets. Employers will be offered incentives to
Redevelopment of the textile Industry We
recruit from this database;
will take advantage of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA) to revamp the textile Expand the YEA job creation opportunities from
industry which, hitherto, employed over 45,000 100,000 to 400,000;
persons;
Promote occupational health and safety
Building the right skills for the Youth We will standards in the work environment;
re-establish Technical Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) as an enviable profession; Support a growing private sector to
complement the job creation efforts of
Youth Entrepreneurship We will provide Government;
business advisory services to young
entrepreneurs (e.g mentoring, business Increase employment in the agriculture
development services and/or business sector through agriculture modernization,
formalisation) and ensure access to as well as improvement and expansion in
microfinance; the agro-industry with a focus on irrigation
infrastructure;
Youth In Agriculture - A number of concepts Continue to encourage able and willing youth to
have been developed to address and encourage
36 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
enter into cocoa farming and provide them with Distribute vehicles to be used for taxis and
effective extension services support, seedlings tricycles to be used as intermediate means of
and fertilizer; transport and
Provide thousands of jobs through the supply Disburse funds to youth in other micro and
of over 30 million improved, early-maturing small scale enterprises.
and high-yielding coffee seedlings to farmers,
and increase the total acreage of coffee farms Small Business Enterprises
from an estimated 6,000 hectares to 100,000 We will:
hectares by 2021;
Create 76,000 direct and indirect jobs resulting Continue to support young people under the
from the establishment of a Shrimp Project Youth Enterprise Support (YES) Fund to establish
to promote processing and production for the and grow their own businesses. To this end
Ghanaian market and for export; GHC100 million will be allocated to YES over the
next four years;
Production of fingerlings - laboratories, fish
feed factories, production ponds, processing Create an enabling climate for digital
and marketing facilities will be located in parts entrepreneurship;
of the Greater Accra, Volta and Eastern Regions.
Support the Kumasi Business Incubator Project
Production is estimated to be 30,000 metric
(KBIP at the Kwame Nkrumah University of
tonnes and projected export revenue ranges
Science and Technology (KNUST) to identify
between US$60 million and US$200 million;
more young talents especially students and
Trigger massive investments in textiles, graduates who have ICT-enabled innovative
garments, leather goods and other light ideas to establish their own businesses and
manufacturing industries to take advantage of nurture them, and also support other public
AGOA and growing ECOWAS market; Universities to establish similar incubators;
Continue to rely on Ghanaian professionals
(local and foreign) for internship and placement Operationalize the Young Changers Business
programmes in the petroleum and other sectors Forum (YCBF) targeted at Senior High School
and and University students to build their capacities
on how to start and manage a business;
Regularize and transform artisanal mining
operations into legitimate small-scale mining Fully implement the Graduate Enterprise
activities in demarcated areas to create Development Initiative (GEDI) and
employment.
Train young people under the Rural
Entrepreneurship Activation Programme (REAP)
Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to stimulate rural enterprise development;
We will strengthen and expand the operations of Savannah Accelerated Development Authority
MASLOC to create over three hundred thousand (SADA)
(300,000) jobs by continuing the implementation SADAs mandate covers the accelerated
of the following: development of the Northern Region, Upper East
Improve poultry production by making Region, Upper West Region, part of northern
disbursements to poultry farmers to produce Brong Ahafo Region and part of northern Volta
over 200,000 birds in selected regions; Region.
Increase fish production by continuing to supply The following initiatives already rolled out by
thousands of outboard motors to fishermen; SADA will be continued to support the creation of
more jobs:
Disburse funds to over 200,000 microcredit/
group clients to support diverse economic Construction of irrigation facilities to irrigate
activities including food marketing, food-crop up to 50,000 hectares of land particularly at
farming and micro enterprises; Nasia-Nabogo, Pwalugu, Bui, Fumbisi Valley,
Tamne and Daka Valley for the cultivation of
Disburse funds to over 15,000 small loan clients rice, bananas, cashew nuts, vegetables, soya and
engaged in micro, small and medium scale maize, among others;
enterprises;
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THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
Harnessing water from the White and Black Coastal Plains Development Authority (CoPDA)
Volta and from other water bodies for transport,
CoPDAs mandate will cover the capital city
irrigation and aqua culture;
Greater Accra and its environs including Ada,
Launching the Northern Savannah Agricultural Ningo and Prampram.
Transformation Programme (NSATP), to
Industrial Cities Rejuvenation Projects
leverage the mobilization of about US$1 billion
to invest in the transformation of agriculture The NDC Governments programme for the
and agribusiness in the Northern Savannah redevelopment of the city of Tema and the
ecological zone; development of industrial parks and free zones in
Tema and Sekondi-Takoradi will provide further
Construction of an inland port and a harbour
opportunities for employment for the youth.
city at Buipe;
Tourism
Re-modelling Tamale to become a multi-modal
international transport hub; The implementation of the fifteen-year Tourism
Development Plan as a major pillar of Ghanas
Initiating work on the construction of at least
economy will promote the creation of sustainable
three medium-sized dams at Juale, Jambito and
jobs especially under the eco-tourism, culture
Pwalugu as sources of energy for facilitating
tourism, health tourism and heritage tourism
industrial clusters;
programmes.
Facilitating the setting up of solar energy farms
The implementation of the Marine Drive Project
and the establishment of waste-to-energy
in Accra will also generate thousands of jobs.
plants (bioenergy) in at least three urban towns,
including the Tamale metropolis; Roads, Bridges and Flyovers
Greening the Savannah to adapt and mitigate Work on the Kasoa Interchange, the Kwame
the effects of climate change by working with Nkrumah Interchange, alongside the construction
traditional leaders, academia and the private of roads and bridges across the country, has the
sector to facilitate the planting of 500 million benefit of creating sustainable jobs for various
trees as wood lots and as protection for the grades of professionals, semi-skilled and unskilled
Volta River Basin. labour.
We will continue to use the labour intensive
Western Corridor Development Authority strategy for the construction and rehabilitation of
(WeCDA) certain categories of roads.
WeCDAs mandate will cover the accelerated Mentorship, Apprenticeship and Training
development of the Central and Western Regions
To promote mentorship, training placements will
in areas where the two regions have comparative
be expanded for brilliant fresh graduates who
advantage with a special focus on the creation of
have completed national service and have not yet
sustainable jobs.
obtained employment.
Eastern Corridor Development Authority (ECDA)
Apprentices and interns will be trained in
ECDAs mandate will cover the Volta Region and targeted demand-driven skill trades.
Eastern Region excluding the Afram Plains. It will
fast-track the rapid economic transformation and
development of these regions for sustainable job Private Sector and Job Creation
creation.
We reiterate our confidence in the private sector
Forest Belt Development Authority (FoBDA) as a key partner in job creation. With the efforts
made to achieve sustainable power supply and
FoBDAs mandate will cover the Ashanti Region,
the relative stability of the macroeconomic
Brong Ahafo Region and the Afram Plains. It
environment, our collaboration with the private
will maximize the potential of the Ashanti and
sector is set to yield better dividends in creating
Brong Ahafo Regions and exploit the huge and
more jobs and improving incomes.
extensive fertile plains in the Eastern Region to
produce grains and create jobs.
38 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
An increase in the total number of Agricultural Under the pilot phase of the Ghana Broiler
Mechanisation Service Centres (AMSECs) from Re-vitalization Project launched in July 2014,
57 in 2009 to 89 in 2014, resulting in an increase 650,000 birds were raised, processed and sold
in the total area of farms serviced by AMSECs by 2015.
from 191,520 acres in 2009 to 299,040 acres in
2014; OUR COMMITMENT
Total area of irrigated land has increased from (2017-2021)
111,516 hectares in 2010 to 221,000 hectares in
March 2016; Strategies for Agriculture Transformation
To further improve rain-fed rice production, a The prospect for accelerated transformation of
| 39
THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
the economy lies in the opportunities that exist Review the block-farming system to make it
in the agriculture sector and their linkages to the more beneficial and sustainable;
industry and services sectors. This will energise
Reinforce the Youth-in-Agriculture Programme
the rural economy and reduce poverty and
as a major component of the agriculture
deprivation through expansion in employment
transformation strategy;
opportunities along the agriculture value chain.
Focus our industrialization efforts on the
This transformation continues to be driven by
provision of incentives for the establishment of
the implementation of the Food and Agricultural
industries that have backward linkages to our
Sector Development Policy (FASDEP) II and the
agriculture resource base;
corresponding strategies as detailed in the
Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda Construct storage facilities, including silos and
(GSGDA) II. cold storage units at strategic locations, through
a mix of strategies including Public-Private
The key elements of the strategy are to:
Partnerships, to minimize post-harvest losses;
Prioritise allocation of financial resources and
Expand the implementation of the West Africa
essential infrastructure to catalyse development
Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) II
in the sector.
and the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project
Provide support for the research institutions and (GCAP);
agriculture departments of our universities, the
Support and encourage the private sector to
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
play a greater role in introducing innovations
(CSIR) among others to step up their work on
such as financial intermediation, aggregation
the development of certified seeds, breeding
and barter services, weather and market data
stock and improved farming methods;
online services, extension services and provision
Strengthen farmers groups such as co- of agricultural inputs;
operatives and farmer-based organizations
Promote the establishment of Agriculture
(FBOs);
Estates to serve as major production units of
40 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
horticulture produce for import substitution, completes the legal framework for the
raw material production and for export; establishment of the Ghana Commodities
Exchange and its accompanying Warehouse
Continue to transform the agriculture sector
Receipt System;
from subsistence farming to commercial,
mechanised and irrigation-based agriculture in Revitalising the National Food Buffer Stock
the medium to long-term; Company;
| 41
THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
cocoa produced over the past fifteen years is locally (domestic and industrial) and work
unparalleled. towards significant increase in exports;
Currently, our yield is about 0.5 tonnes per Replicate the 40,000 tonne capacity shea nut
hectare. Less than 25% of cocoa beans are processing plant in the Upper West and Upper
processed locally, allowing Ghana to capture only East regions and support value addition along
about 5% of the US$28 billion global intermediate the value chain.
cocoa processing industry.
Cashew Nuts
Over the next four years, we will:
Given the huge domestic and global demand for
Adopt the plantation model under PPP cashew nuts, we will:
arrangements to increase cocoa production
Establish the Cashew Board (CASHBOD),
from 750,000 tonnes to over 1.5million tonnes
approved by Cabinet, with its headquarters in
by 2025;
the Brong Ahafo Region;
Use GIS to map out all farms, particularly cocoa
Support the establishment of Cooperative
farms to ensure targeted support in terms
Producer Associations with technical support
of fertilizer provision and extension service
from extension officers to expand the
delivery, alongside intensification of the mass
production base of the industry;
spraying exercise;
Ensure access by cashew farmers to export
Continue the provision of scholarships and
finance under EXIM Ghana;
modernization of roads in cocoa growing areas
and other rural communities to facilitate the Encourage the processing of at least 50% of
evacuation of cocoa and food crops; cashew nuts for export;
Continue to distribute millions of hybrid Operationalize the Cashew Development
seedlings of cocoa per year to small-holder Strategy to increase production volumes and
farmers up to 2018 and large-scale plantation value-addition activities along the cashew nut
farmers up to 2022; value chain;
Promote the involvement of youth in the cocoa Implement the National Export Development
sector value chain; Plan (NEDP) 2016-2020 as it relates to cashew
nut production.
At least maintain the percentage of the world
market price of cocoa paid to farmers at the
current level of over 70%; Cotton
Ghana has the potential to produce 250,000
Maintain the target of processing at least
metric tonnes of cotton in the Northern, Upper
60% of cocoa beans produced in Ghana by
East and Upper West regions. Policy initiatives
supporting major chocolate manufacturing
will centre on supporting 200,000 cotton farmers
companies to establish processing plants;
in the three regions to raise productivity and
Continue to expand warehousing facilities substantially increase total national production.
alongside the implementation of the crop-
In this regard, the NDC Government will maintain
financing scheme.
the current policy under which it will:
Enforce the existing zoning boundaries;
Shea nuts
Lease the ginneries to the cotton growers;
In the shea nut sub-sector, we will:
Strengthen and actively support cotton farmers
Revitalise the shea nut industry and take steps associations;
to ensure increased yields;
Implement selected interventions along the
Provide support services including protective value chain with the objective of reviving the
apparel for the female dominated shea nut local textile industry and stimulating demand
picking activity; for their products.
Actively encourage utilization of shea butter Coffee
42 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
The NDC Government through the Ghana Efficient utilization of existing irrigation
Cocoa Board is increasing intends annual coffee facilities especially in drought-prone areas:
production from the current level of about 6,000
Complete rehabilitation of viable but
metric tonnes to about 100,000 metric tonnes
non-functional and abandoned irrigation
in the short term and to about 200,000 metric
infrastructure, particularly the Kpong, Tono,
tonnes by 2025.
Bontanga and Vea irrigation schemes;
Five million improved coffee seedlings are being
Implementation of the Accra Plains Irrigation
nursed and supplied to farmers. This number will
project;
be substantially increased annually, to ensure
that both the medium and long-term targets are Development of the following irrigation projects
achieved. Kamba (Upper West Region), Tamne (Upper
East Region), Amartey (Eastern Region), Mpruem
Oil Palm
(Eastern Region) and Wli (Volta Region);
Ghana remains one of the major oil palm
Provision of on-farm boreholes;
producers in Africa and has over one million
hectares of land suitable for its cultivation. Implementation of measures to promote the
Given the current average output of about six use of non-contaminated water for vegetable
tonnes per hectare, targeted strategies will be production;
implemented to improve productivity.
Support for the implementation of the Ghana
As global demand for vegetable oil increases, Irrigation Development Policy of developing
the NDC Government plans to exploit Ghanas appropriate and affordable irrigation schemes,
comparative advantage to become a net exporter dams and other rain-water harvesting
of oil palm. techniques for different categories of farmers
and in the various ecological zones;
Horticulture
Development of 10,000 hectares for the Nasia-
With increasing demand for horticultural
Nabogo rice irrigation project in the Northern
produce, especially vegetables, fruits and fruit-
Region;
juices, opportunities abound for the production,
processing, consumption and export of Irrigation of 150,000 hectares of land under the
horticultural produce. Pwalugu multi-purpose hydroelectric scheme.
Poultry and Livestock
The NDC Government will: The NDC government will continue to provide
nucleus population of broiler parents as the
Train young people in commercial and modern
sustainable source of day old chicks for the
greenhouse vegetable production;
poultry industry with the support of EXIM
Adopt irradiation technology in the reduction of GHANA and other financial institutions.
post-harvest losses; Other initiatives will include support for
large-scale production of domestic poultry, the
Continue to train out-grower farmers in all
establishment of hatcheries, feed mills and
processes required under good agricultural
processing plants.
practices with emphasis on the harvesting and
handling of horticulture crops particularly exotic In the other areas of the poultry and livestock
vegetables. sub-sector, the NDC Government will:
Diversify the sources of the breeding stock
particularly from the Sahel region to support
Irrigation
the sustainable development of the livestock
Modernized agriculture thrives on better sub-sector
irrigation systems (powered by solar pumps
Support the large-scale breeding and
where appropriate). We will therefore continue
production of guinea fowls to boost the poultry
to develop efficient irrigation systems to support
industry;
all-year-round farming. The following initiatives
will be undertaken: Accelerate private sector investment in poultry
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THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
and livestock production by leveraging funding Almost completed a new 100 metric tonnes per
for the procurement of poultry and piggery day fish processing factory at Elmina;
infrastructure, equipment and other processing
Completed the construction of modern cold
facilities including slaughtering and packaging;
stores at Prampram, Nyanyano, Shama, Sekondi-
Continue to support the Ghana Broiler Takoradi, Half Assini and Kormantse;
Revitalization Project targeted at the production
Facilitated the acquisition and distribution of
of at least one million broilers per year;
about 2,000 outboard motors to fishermen;
Increase support to private sector enterprises
Commenced work on the Fisheries College at
involved in animal feed formulation as well as
Anomabo;
hatcheries.
Installed tracking devices on all industrial
A current threat to the livestock industry is
trawlers and tuna vessels to control illegal
the free range grazing method of nomadic
fishing;
herdsmen. To deal with this threat, we will:
Commenced the distribution of fish finders to
Take steps to address the recurring conflict
local fishermen.
between nomadic herdsmen and food
crop farmers, which has had devastating Our Commitment (2017 to 2021)
consequences on the production of food crops;
We will
Develop a zone in the sparsely populated parts
Continue to ensure that Ghanas fishery
of the Savannah belt with water ponds and
resources are protected from encroachment by
barrage dams to relocate cattle herds from the
foreign vessels;
Agogo, Kumawu, Afram Plains and parts of the
Eastern Region; Eliminate the use of unapproved nets and
unorthodox methods of fishing, including the
Ensure strict enforcement of the relevant laws;
use of dynamite, carbide, light and poisonous
Adopt GPS (Global Positioning System) chemicals;
technology to map-out the trails of this
Complete the construction of landing sites, cold
transhumance activity across the country;
stores and fishing harbours;
Develop regulations to get cattle owners to
Establish alternative livelihood programmes in
adopt the ranch system (fence-in/fence-out)
the fishing communities;
and keep cattle in kraals;
Rehabilitate the Albert Bosomtwe Sam (ABS)
Encourage MMDAs to support the
Fishing Harbor in Sekondi to serve the fishing
establishment of fodder banks in their areas of
communities in and around the Sekondi-
jurisdiction for the development of livestock as
Takoradi metropolis;
a source of additional revenue;
Complete the construction of landing sites
With private sector partnership, revamp the
at Tepa-Abotoase, Anloga, Tongor-Dzemeni,
Wulugu livestock project;
Mumford, Teshie, James Town, Keta, Kpando-
Continue provision of dugouts in the Savannah Torkor and Axim under a West Africa Regional
zone for livestock watering and small Fisheries Project (WARFP);
agricultural activity.
Complete the fish processing plant at Elmina;
Complete the Fisheries College at Anomabo to
Fisheries
provide the human resource requirements for
The fishing industry is crucial in our protein the transformation and modernization of the
energy needs. Ghanas per capita fish fishing industry;
consumption is between 23 to 25kg per year,
Ensure adequate and timely supply of
higher than the world average of 13kg.
premix fuel and monitor the proper use of
Our Achievements any surpluses for community development
initiatives;
To be able to sustain the fishing industry we have:
Improve the timely supply of outboard motors
44 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
Support aquaculture development on the In the period 2017 to 2021 we will pursue the
Bui Lake in collaboration with the Bui Power following:
Authority and on other major rivers across the An Integrated Aluminum Industry
country;
o Revitalisation of VALCO as the off-taker for the
Implement the project for fish production upstream integrated aluminium industry;
at Pwalugu in collaboration with the Ghana
Irrigation Development Authority; oIndustrial salt production - double the current
national output of 300,000 tonnes;
Ensure the attainment of the Ghana National
Aquaculture Development goal of producing oCaustic soda production - utilize the increased
100,000 tonnes of fish by 2020; production of salt for local production of caustic
soda for alumina and soap production;
Ensure the production of high-value fish-feed in
collaboration with the private sector. oChlorine production - utilize the increased
production of chlorine as a by-product of caustic
| 45
THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
soda production as raw material for the petro- The PSC Tema Shipyard (and drydock) has
chemical industry and for the production of been handed over to the Ghana Ports &
plastics. It will also help reduce the import bill of Harbours Authority (GPHA) for retooling and
chlorine for raw water treatment. modernization. This has already led to an
expansion in the business of the shipyard.
Fertilizer Production
During our next term we will seek to make the
The NDC Government will accelerate the
shipyard the foremost ship-building and repair
process for the establishment of the fertilizer
facility in the Gulf of Guinea.
plant at Shama in the Western Region using gas
from Atuabo, the additional imminent gas to Agro-Industrialization
be produced from the TEN and the US$7 billion
Small scale on-farm processing to support
ENI/Sankofa fields.
value-addition to cocoa, oil palm, cotton,
Mineral Processing mango, shea nut, pawpaw, citrus, sugarcane,
pineapple and cashew nuts will underpin
We will support the processing of our minerals,
our agro-processing industrial strategy as we
especially the refining of gold.
continue to pursue large-scale agro-processing
Steel Mills under the agenda for transformation through
diversification and value addition.
Based on the increased thermal power
generation, we will support the private sector Commission a feasibility study towards the
to undertake exploitation and refining of the revival of all Nkrumah era industries, e.g. the
massive iron ore deposits at Oppon Manso in Abosso Glass Factory.
the Western Region, Sheini in the Northern
Region, Pudo in the Upper West Region and LANDS AND FORESTRY
Kyebi in the Eastern Region.
Glass, Bottle, Rubber and Ethanol Production Forests
We will also use the availability of excess power The NDC Government has put in place policies
to promote the establishment of plants for and programmes for the effective management
glass and bottle-making as well as rubber and of our forest reserves.
ethanol processing factories.
Ceramics, Bricks and Tiles OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
The increased thermal power generation
from our natural gas reserves will, in the years We have achieved the following:
ahead, provide the heat energy required for the
Under the Sustainable Land and Water
sustainable manufacturing of ceramics, bricks
Management Project (SLWMP), 400 hectares
and tiles.
of the Kulpawn and Ambalara Forest Reserves
Light Manufacturing were re-forested, an ecotourism strategy for the
Our industrialization programme will also focus Western Wildlife Corridor was developed and
on light manufacturing in areas such as wood inputs like fertilizer, seeds and tree seedlings
processing, beverages, metallurgical industries, were supplied to farmers in 72 communities for
pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments. the implementation of sustainable land and
water management;
Machine Tools
Reforestation of additional 200 hectares of
The Suame Magazine Industrial Development the Kulpawn and Ambalara Forest Reserves;
Organisation (SMIDO), GRATIS, the National implementation of community activities like
Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), soap production, honey-making, wild arts and
KNUST, the technical universities and related wildlife rearing; and the provision of inputs
organisations will be supported to play a pivotal like fertilizer, seeds and tree seedlings to 4,000
role in the establishment of industrial estates farmers for implementation of sustainable land
for the manufacture of machine tools. and water management technologies in 118
Shipyard and Drydock communities;
46 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
Convert the Atiwa Forest and Shai Hills Resource Deepen the technological and legal reforms
Reserve into National Eco-Tourism Parks; under the Land Administration Project/Town
& Country Planning Department Land Use
Continue to enforce the regulations on the Planning and Management Project (LAP/TCPD-
prevention of mining in protected areas; LUMP);
Encourage high levels of co-operation among Link the National Identification System being
agencies such as the Forestry Commission, developed to land administration with the view
Water Resources Commission, Minerals to enhancing easy identification of land owners
Commission, Environmental Protection Agency should the need arise to avoid multiple sale of
and the Ghana Water Company to safeguard lands;
and protect all water bodies and watersheds;
Enact and implement the Land Use and Spatial
Continue to intensify efforts towards the Planning Bill with a view to regularizing the
implementation of climate change adaptation land administration and planning system;
and mitigation mechanisms and tap into the
carbon credit market. Support SADA to pilot the Land Trust Scheme
to aid the orderly acquisition of land for both
urban and rural investments;
Lands
Ensure the speedy prosecution of protected area
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS offences.
We have MINING
Established five Client Service Access Units OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
in Accra, Koforidua, Sekondi, Tamale and
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THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
Supported the establishment of the new The NDC government has undertaken the
Asanko Mining Company at Manso Nkran in the following:
Ashanti Region which has employed over 1,500 Completed the construction of the Accra Visitors
persons; Information Centre (AVIC) as a one-stop shop for
Established Municipal and District Mining tourism information;
Committees in eight regions to monitor illegal Released GH1million to Creative Arts
small scale mining in the country.
48 |
STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION THEME 2
Practitioners and mandated the Ghana Culture other internationally focused festivals;
Forum to disburse same;
Accord export status to tourism by granting the
Ratified seven UNESCO Conventions to sector the benefits and concessions available
ensure that the sector receives international under the EXIM Ghana;
recognition and support for its development;
Establish additional District Tourism Offices
Concluded preparatory works for the to decentralize tourism administration in the
redevelopment of the stretch of land from the country;
Osu Castle to the Arts Centre into a world class
Improve collection of the Tourism Levy to
tourism centre to be known as the Marine Drive;
support on-going tourism programmes and
Encouraged the use of everyday local wear projects;
to promote our culture, create employment
Complete all ongoing rehabilitation of regional
and market opportunities for producers and
centres of National Culture;
entrepreneurs;
Strengthen national festivals of arts and culture,
Established the Tourism Development Fund and
regional and national drama festivals for schools
directed its utilisation to facilitate financing of
and colleges, and youth and childrens cultural
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts programmes
programmes and festivals;
for the development of the sector.
Organise international exchange programmes
for creative arts practitioners to enhance
OUR COMMITMENT
collaboration and improve the capacity of
(2017-2021) Ghanaian creative artistes;
Promote conference, package and medical Facilitate the establishment of a Film Village in
tourism; partnership with the private sector.
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THEME 2 STRONG ECONOMY FOR JOBS & TRANSFORMATION
Framework (NSDF) to guide the development Develop a Management Information System for
of a Management Information System (MIS) for tracking infrastructure development;
tracking spatial investments;
Clarification of the respective roles of the Continue to support the Savannah Accelerated
National Development Planning Commission Development Authority (SADA) to provide
and the Ministry of Finance to allow for better an effective framework for the accelerated
synergy and synchronisation between the development of the SADA zone;
development plan and the budget, and between
the planning cycle and the budget cycle. Establish the Western Corridor Development
Authority (WECDA);
50 |
THEME THREE
INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR ACCELERATED
DEVELOPMENT
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
The results of our massive infrastructure provision of social services. Based on our current
expansion programme can be seen across the programme, we expect universal coverage by
country. Its impact on the quality of life of our 2025.
people is obvious.
Notwithstanding the significant gains made,
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
the NDC is poised to accelerate the provision
of infrastructure to deepen the social and Major achievements in the water sector under
economic benefits of our transformation our 2012 Manifesto commitments include:
programme. In the next four years, the NDC
government will adopt new developments in Kpone Water Supply Expansion Project
science and technology to provide impetus for Kpong Intake Rehabilitation Project
accelerated infrastructure development. Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area Supply Project
Teshie-Nungua Sea-Water Desalination Plant
WATER Asante Mampong Water Project
Kyebi, Anyinam, Osenase, Apedwa and
Our investment in water supply has significantly Kwabeng Water Projects
improved in terms of the percentage of our Nsawam Water Project
population that currently has access to clean Five-District Water Project Phases I and 2
water. We have invested over $1.1 billion in
Akim-Oda-Akwatia-Winneba Water Project
water supply, resulting in an increase in urban
water coverage from 58.5% to 76%. Rural water Konongo-Kumawu-Kwahu Water Project
coverage has also increased from 56.5% to 76%. Wa Water Project
The extent of the improvement in the coverage North Tongu Water Project
is depicted in the table below. The remarkable Adaklu Water Project
achievement demonstrates our commitment to Navrongo Water Project
the social democratic principle of equity in the Small Town Water Systems across all regions
52 |
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
2Megawatts Solar Power Plant at Navrongo We will further ensure that our planning and
building regulations incorporate sustainable
8Megawatts at Kaleo in the Upper West energy conservation in buildings at the design
Region and construction stages.
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
54 |
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
An enabling environment to attract necessary Kasoa Bypass Road Project (Central Region)
investment into the industry; Agona-Junction-Elubo Road (Western Region)
Opportunities to progressively increase local Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road (Western
participation in mainstream operations of the Region)
sector;
Buipe-Tamale Road (Northern Region)
Promote environmental, social and human
rights to a standard that underpins Fufulso-Sawla Road (Northern Region)
sustainable development; Tetteh Quarshie-Madina Road (Greater Accra
Improve policy formulation and regulatory Region)
capacity of key public institutions in the oil Madina-Pantang Road (Greater Accra Region)
and gas sector;
Ayamfuri-Asawinso Road (Western Region)
Increase and strengthen local technical skills
Eastern Corridor Road Dodo-Pepesu-
in Ghanas emerging oil and gas sector, in
Nkwanta, Asikuma Junction-Kpeve, Nkwanta-
line with the Petroleum Local Content and
Oti-Damanko, Oti-Damanko-Nakpanduri
Local Participation Regulations, 2013 (L.I.2204),
(Volta Region)
particularly in critical areas such as drilling,
seabed safety, production, operation and Adidome-Adaklu-Ho Road (Volta Region)
maintenance engineering, diving and under- Ho-Fume Road (Volta Region)
sea welding.
Nkawkaw-Atibie Road (Eastern Region)
Atebubu-Kwame Danso-Kwadwokrom Road
ROADS (Brong Ahafo Region)
There has been unprecedented expansion in Adomi Bridge Rehabilitation (Eastern Region)
the road network of Ghana since 2009. We have
constructed modern, durable and better roads Accra-Tema Asphaltic overlay (Greater Accra
across the length and breadth of the country. Region)
This has ensured the free movement of goods Takoradi Asphaltic overlay (Western Region)
and services, and widened access to markets.
Nsawam-Apedwa Road (southbound) (Eastern
Region)
Some of the major roads projects, completed or
Assin Praso-Bekwai Road, (Central/Ashanti
ongoing, include:
Regions)
Giffard Road (Greater Accra Region)
Nadowli-Lawra Road (Upper West Region)
Kasoa Interchange and related works (Central
Navrongo-Tumu Road (Upper East/Upper
Region)
West Regions)
Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange Project
Navrongo-Tono, Bolgatanga-Bongo and
(Greater Accra Region)
Winkongo-Tongo Road (Upper East Region)
Completion of Sofoline interchange project
Bolgatanga-Bawku Road (Upper East Region)
(Kumasi, Ashanti Region)
Awoshie-Pokuase Road (Greater Accra Region) Other road construction initiatives are
Burma Camp Roads 1 & 2(Greater Accra The implementation of the District Capital
Region) and Major Town Roads Improvement
Pedestrian footbridges at Tetteh Quarshie, Programme in the Volta, Central, Eastern,
Mallam and Shiashie (Greater Accra Region) Ashanti, Northern and Upper West Regions.
Some of the selected district capitals and
Pedestrian footbridges at KNUST Junction, major town roads being rehabilitated are
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) Aflao, Mafi Kumasi, Nyakrom, Moree, Akim
Kansawrodo Bypass, Takoradi (Western Tafo, Somanya, Fomena-Old Ayaase, Bole and
Region) Gwollu;
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
The Cocoa Roads Programme, under which Commencing work on two bridges over the
over 50 contracts have been awarded in the motorway from Flower Pot Round-About on
cocoa growing regions of the Ashanti, Brong the Spintex Road into East Legon and from
Ahafo, Western, Central, Volta and Eastern Klagon into Ashaiman;
Regions; Commencing construction of the Obetsebi
The Feeder Roads Bridge Programme (FRBP) Lamptey interchange;
under which 120 bridges have been completed Constructing an interchange at Pokuase in the
including bridges over the River Densu on the Greater Accra Region;
Tetegu Junction-Tetegu road, the River Menu
on the Nsuta-Ketsi-Koensim-Domeabra road, Commencing construction of Accra, Kumasi
and the River Narkwa-Ochi on the Ajumako- and Tamale outer ring roads;
Abeadzi-Gomoa Olefeku road. Completing work on the Eastern Corridor
Road;
Remodeling the Western Corridor Road;
56 |
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
Circle Interchange
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
To complete the advances being made in Completion of the first phase of the Kumasi
maritime transport, we have enacted the International Airport;
Maritime Pollution Act, 2016 to improve security Completion of the first phase of the Tamale
and reduce pollution in Ghanas Maritime International Airport;
jurisdiction.
Upgrading of the Wa Airstrip;
Commencement of work on the Ho Airport.
OUR COMMITMENT
Other interventions include
(2017-2021)
Processing the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority
(Amendment) Bill for enactment to ensure
To accelerate the rate of maritime safety at our airports and in our airspace;
infrastructural development, we will
Ratification by Parliament of a number of
Continue to invest in the modernisation, international protocols on aviation.
expansion and improvement of our ports;
Support the revival of the Black Star Line as a
subsidiary of GPHA to increase employment OUR COMMITMENT
opportunities for Ghanaian seafarers; (2017-2021)
Commission pre-feasibility study on the
potential of a deep-sea port at Keta; We will
Construct improved landing sites on the Volta
Complete ongoing projects at the Kotoka
Lake;
International Airport (KIA);
As part of the Eastern Corridor Multi-modal
Complete the construction of Terminal Three
Transport Project, upgrade the Akosombo and
at the Kotoka International Airport;
Buipe Ports with modern equipment to ensure
efficiency of transportation on the Volta Lake; Construct Phase II of the Kumasi International
Airport to include a new terminal building
Continue the removal of tree stumps from the and an extension of runway to accommodate
Volta Lake to facilitate bulk haulage of cargo medium wide bodied jets;
from Akosombo to the three northern regions
Complete the bulk cargo handling jetty
as well as neighboring countries; project at KIA;
Work with the International Maritime Construct Phase II of the Tamale International
Organisation to improve safety in Airport to include new passenger and Hajj
Ghanas territorial waters, in line with our terminals;
international obligations;
Complete the Ho Airport;
Develop a holistic transport security policy
Develop the Wa Airstrip into a modern
manual.
aerodrome open to commercial flights;
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INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
Construct new airstrips in Cape Coast, rail network and also expand to other parts of
Koforidua and Bolgatanga; the country.
Upgrade the Sunyani Airport
Continue implementation of the policy to OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
construct a minimum of an airstrip in every
region; We undertook the following
Complete the process of partnering a private Commenced preparatory work towards the
sector operator to re-establish a new national construction of the Eastern Railway line from
carrier; Tema to Kumasi via the Boankra Inland Port;
Separate Air Navigation Services from Commenced work on the construction of
regulation by Ghana Civil Aviation Authority; the Sekondi-Takoradi via Kojokrom suburban
Construct an Air Navigation Centre to further railway line to revamp rail commuter services
enhance safety of aircraft operations; between the twin cities;
Continue preparatory work on a new airport Completed Front End Engineering Design
city in the Dangbe West District of the Greater (FEED) on the Western Railway Line (Kojokrom-
Accra Region. Awaso through Dunkwa to Kumasi);
Commenced preparatory work on the Tema-
Railway Akosombo Railway Line.
NDCs next term in office will see a massive
expansion of the railway sector and usher us OUR COMMITMENT
into an era of new glory days for the railways. (2017-2021)
The railway sub-sector is a crucial component of
our transformation agenda. We will
Commence work on the construction of
Consequently, we have developed a Railway
the Western Railway line (Kojokrom-Awaso
Masterplan to upgrade the stock of our existing
through Dunkwa to Kumasi);
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
Commence work on the reconstruction of the Continue to procure more buses for mass
Eastern Railway line from Tema to Kumasi via transit.
the Boankra Inland Port;
Complete work on the construction of the
ICT AND TELECOMMUNICATION
Sekondi-Takoradi via Kojokrom sub-urban
railway line; In furtherance of our commitment to utilise
ICT to promote an all-inclusive information
Commence work on the Tema - Akosombo
and knowledge society, we have opened up the
Railway Line;
information superhighway and offered teaching
Complete feasibility and commence work on and learning opportunities to Ghanaians.
Northern line to link Burkina Faso;
We have created greater access to information
Build suburban lines between Accra- and communication. Areas which hitherto were
Amasaman-Nsawam and between Kumasi- left out of the major transformation taking
Ejisu. place in ICT and science are now being served.
The ICT landscape is evolving very fast and
the digital economy is becoming a reality. 4G
Road Transport Services technology is here with us and 5G is beckoning.
Road transport remains the main mode
of transportation in Ghana. Government
has partnered the private sector to invest OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
significantly to improve the road transport
In the last four years, we have
sector and will continue to do so.
Completed the 800km Eastern Corridor Fibre
Our Achievements
Optic Project to serve over 120 communities
Some of the major interventions have included: along the route from Ho to Bawku, with a link
Retooling of the State Transport Company from Yendi to Tamale;
(STC); Increased telephone subscriptions three-fold
Introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); from about 11million in 2008 to over 33million
by the end of 2015;
Provision of additional buses for the Metro
Mass Transit (MMT); Deployed 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE)
technology;
Provision of taxis and mini buses by MASLOC
for private sector transport operators; Deployed the e-Transform Project under
which we are implementing the e-Health,
Enactment of the relevant legislative e-Education, e-Justice, e-Cabinet, e-Parliament
instrument to enable the DVLA enforce its and e-Immigration projects which seek to
powers and clean up driver licensing and inject greater efficiency into public service
vehicle registration. delivery;
Commenced the Tertiary Institution
OUR COMMITMENT Connectivity Programme to provide
(2017-2021) infrastructure and connectivity to institutions
such as the University of Ghana (UG),
We will Kwame Nkrumah University of Science
and Technology (KNUST), University of
Continue to expand bus services and Development Studies (UDS) and University
terminals to more destinations through inter College of Education, Winneba (UCEW);
and intra city services;
Constructed over 50 Enhanced Community
Partner with private transport operators to Information Centres (e-CICs) equipped
improve public road transport; with modern ICT facilities. Some of the
Establish a regulatory body for the road beneficiary communities are Keta, Battor,
transport sector; Techiman-Krobo, Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Bodi,
60 |
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
Ghana Revenue Authority offices to further for research and development in science and
improve the tax collection system to enhance technology;
government revenue mobilization; Established the Ghana Space Science Institute
Ensure Analogue Switch Off and complete the and refurbished the radio antenna at
digital migration process by 21st September Kuntunse for space, science and technology
2017; studies;
Implement the National Cyber Security Policy; Completed the School of Nuclear and Allied
Facilitate the passage of the Broadcasting Bill; Sciences Faculty Block B and Hostel Block B
facility;
Continue the implementation of the
e-Transform Project; Enacted the Nuclear Regulatory Act 2015 (Act
Continue the Tertiary Institution Connectivity 895) and established an Independent Nuclear
Programme; Regulatory Authority;
Work with the Bank of Ghana and other o Expanded ARIBRO day old chick development
stakeholders to ensure a full cash-lite society programme to ensure regular supply of
by 2020; quality and relatively cheaper source of day
old chicks for the poultry industry;
Set up free WiFi hotspots in secondary and
tertiary institutions. o Developed a new strain of the Akosombo Nile
Tilapia that grows 40% faster than those in
the wild;
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
o Installed rain water harvesting system in
Through increased application of science and senior high schools and residential houses;
technology in all segments of society, we are
o Piloted the construction of bio-sanitation
gradually moving towards a knowledge-based
toilets in thirty (30) senior high schools in
society.
Accra;
62 |
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
various types of flowers, shrubs and trees will Commenced implementation of a policy to
be planted along the roads, in public places, have every home provided with toilet facilities
schools and parks to beautify and transform in a bid to check open defecation;
the face of the city, to create environmental Carried out continuous desilting and dredging
balance and to enhance touristic value; of the Odaw Channel, the Korle Lagoon and
Supporting the nurturing and planting of tree the Klottey Lagoon and massive garbage
seedlings across the country; collection and clearance activities in Accra to
contain flooding of the city.
Integrating environmental sustainability into
all local development plans. We are also pursuing the Accra Sanitation
Sewer and Storm Water Drainage Alleviation
Project which covers Korle Lagoon revitalisation,
IMPROVING SANITATION Odaw Channel cleaning and restoration, waste
The NDC acknowledges the benefit of a healthy management master planning and covering of
environment to the citizenry and country. The high priority drains, among others.
government has rolled out initiatives to deal The project will ensure
with the impact of poor sanitation on the health
The upgrading of sewer and drainage
of our people as well as some of our educational
infrastructure including desilting, dredging,
and tourism assets.
new siltation ponds and removal of refuse
from priority drains and lagoons;
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS Construction of public toilets;
Enhancement of solid waste collection
We have activities and equipment;
Successfully executed the National Sanitation Increase in solid waste recyclable sorting
Day exercise throughout the country; capacity;
Identified the bio-fill toilet technology Construct bio-fill toilets in public buildings;
as the most appropriate and indigenous Fit school dormitories and hostels with bio-
modern technology for public basic schools gas facilities for use in cooking;
and completed 10-seater pilot bio-fill school
Enact a legislative instrument on the National
toilets;
Sanitation Day;
64 |
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN THEME 3
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THEME 3 INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMEN
66 |
THEME FOUR
TRANSPARENT
AND ACCOUNTABLE
GOVERNANCE
| 67
THEME 4 TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
The NDC continues to place a lot of emphasis on Continue to support the development of the
transparency, accountability and participatory human resource capacity of the Parliamentary
democracy as the pillars of good governance. Service;
We believe firmly that these pillars properly Give meaning to the Santiago Declaration
anchored in our governance system, create an on Open Parliament by resourcing the
enabling political space for the empowerment Legislature to enable citizens have access to
of both state and non-state actors. Parliamentary proceedings;
Continue work on the e-Parliament
component of the US$97 million e-Transform
ENHANCING THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT project;
In recognition of the critical role the peoples Continue to provide all MPs with Personal and
representatives play in our democratic Research Assistants with a minimum of a first
dispensation, we have committed ourselves degree at public expense with same tenure of
to adequately resource Parliament to enable office as that of the MP;
the peoples representatives discharge their
constitutional mandate more effectively. Continue work on the construction of
additional office space for 23 MPs currently
without offices;
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS Construct a Parliamentary Village to serve as
We have duty posts for MPs in order to improve their
security and protection.
Refurbished and reconfigured the historic
Job 600 for use as office accommodation for
Members of Parliament; ENHANCING THE RULE OF LAW AND JUSTICE
Expanded the House Chamber and renovated We are committed to enhancing transparent
it to accommodate all 275 Members of open government, protection of fundamental
Parliament (MPs); human rights, regulation enforcement, civil
Commenced implementation of the and criminal justice, access to justice, order and
e-Parliament project; security, and anti-corruption measures.
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TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE THEME 4
Established a High Court within the precincts Continue to support the Judicial Council in its
of the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons as efforts to strengthen and enforce the Code of
a way of bringing justice closer to the people Conduct for judicial officers;
in Nsawam and its surrounding areas as well Continue to enhance the Criminal Justice
as facilitating the express hearing of criminal Delivery System by appointing District
appeals filed before the court under the Attorneys (DAs) for the Metropolises,
Justice for All programme; Municipalities and Districts for the first time
in the countrys history;
Implemented the e-Justice Project, including
provision of video conferencing and tele- Ensure the implementation of the
presence equipment; recommendations of the Constitution Review
Commission as approved in the Government
Accepted and commenced the White Paper;
implementation of the recommendations Collaborate with the Judicial Council to
of the Commission of Inquiry into Judgment strengthen the capacity of the Justices of the
Debts; Superior Courts of Judicature to deal with new
and emerging issues;
Actively defended, locally and internationally,
cases that could potentially have led to Continue and scale up the implementation of
judgment debt and by so doing prevented the the Justice for All programme.
payment of over GHC3.8 Billion.
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THEME 4 TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
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TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE THEME 4
The next NDC administration plans to confront Step up international cooperation in the fight
four critical tasks: against the narcotics trade;
Improve the awareness of the risks Complete the process of converting NACOB
into a commission, and empower it to
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THEME 4 TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
heighten vigilance and intensify the campaign Metropolitan, Municipal, District Coordinating
of creating awareness about the disastrous Directors (MMDCDs) and Heads of
effects of drug abuse; Department to promote more efficient and
effective service delivery;
Strengthen the collaboration between NACOB
and the Food and Drugs Authority in drug Developed the Local Economic Development
enforcement. (LED) Policy and the accompanying manual to
help MMDAs mainstream LED activities into
their Medium Term Development Plans;
DEEPENING DECENTRALISATION AND
Implemented the Composite Budgeting
LOCAL GOVERNANCE
System in all 216 District Assemblies;
Having introduced the most comprehensive
Provided for the decentralisation of the
decentralisation policy in the 4th Republic, the
Department of Women, Department of
NDC Government continues to implement
Children, Statistical Service, Rent Control
reforms and develop the local government
Unit and the School Feeding Programme into
sector in the bid to bring government closer to
Departments of MMDAs.
the people, so as to respond to the development
aspirations of the citizenry.
OUR COMMITMENT
(2017-2021)
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
We have We will
o Local Government Service Act, 2003 (Act 656); Promote performance-based competition
among MMDAs;
o Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658);
Implement the Local Economic Development
Trained Metropolitan/Municipal/District and the Public Private Partnership concepts in
Assembly (MMDA) staff in Public Financial the districts;
Management, Social Accountability,
Project Management and Human Resource Modernise major markets in the districts;
Management; Direct MMDAs to organise Accountability
Established Internal Audit Units in all MMDAs Forums to give voice to the public, Civil
to streamline and ensure accountable use of Society Organisations and other non-state
resources; actors in local level governance;
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TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE THEME 4
into the creation of new regions, with the a public sector that is responsive, efficient and
intention to increase the number of regions to effective. It is for this reason that the NDC
fifteen; Government began rationalising and redefining
structures and roles of state institutions to bring
Implement the programme for the
about systematic and sustainable change in
decentralisation of the following either by
service delivery.
devolution or de-concentration according
to the National Decentralisation Policy
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Framework 2015 to 2019:
o Registry of Births and Deaths We have
o Ghana Library Board Established a Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU)
o National Youth Authority at the Presidency to ensure implementation of
Governments strategic policies, projects and
o Department of Co-operatives programmes;
o Department of Town and Country Planning
Formulated a new Public Sector Reform
o Ghana Education Service Strategy (2016 2020);
o Ghana Health Service
Established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
o National Disability Council for the public service;
o Food and Drugs Authority Established a Human Resource Management
o Public Records and Archival Administration and Information System alongside GIFMIS;
Department
Initiated Payroll Reform Programmes rooted in
o National Peace Council technology to rid the public service of ghost
o Registrar-Generals Department names;
o Legal Aid Scheme Scaled up e-Governance to enhance efficiency
Vigorously implement the framework for and effectiveness.
inter-service/inter-sectoral collaboration
and cooperation at the district, regional and OUR COMMITMENT
national levels; (2017-2021)
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THEME 4 TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
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TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE THEME 4
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THEME 4 TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
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TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE THEME 4
under the Millennium Challenge Corporation Intensify our focus on Ghanaians abroad and
(MCC) focusing on the power sector; people of African descent through diaspora
engagements to tap into their rich experience
Been honoured to have President John
and also bring investments into Ghana;
Mahama co-chairing the group of Eminent
Advocates of the United Nations Sustainable Leverage economic and technological
Development Goals. opportunities for sustainable development;
Support the creation of a continental free
OUR COMMITMENT
trade area in 2017;
(2017-2021)
Accelerate economic and social integration
We will with regional and sub-regional states
and promote rules-based and equitable
Increase collaboration with relevant external
International Trading System;
organisations to fight international terrorism,
cyber-attacks and piracy, especially in the West Continue to promote international peace and
African Sub-region; sustainable development.
Combat money laundering, narcotics trade
and human trafficking;
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CONCLUSION
In 2017, the National Democratic Congress Dramani Mahama and our Parliamentary
will celebrate its 25th Anniversary. It will be Candidates, who will help deliver on the
historical and will represent a significant commitments in this Manifesto.
approval by the people of Ghana of the
This Manifesto contains policies and
performance of our Government.
programmes that will consolidate the
We made a number of promises in our achievements so far made and, in addition,
2012 Manifesto and the records show that introduce new initiatives that will launch
we have delivered more than we pledged Ghana into a new era of accelerated
in several sectors. But for the prolonged growth and the transformation of our
global developments that adversely society.
affected the earnings from Ghanas export
As the goal of the 2016 Manifesto states,
commodities and increased the prices of
the implementation of our policies and
imports, the record of our achievements
programmes is to change your life and
would have been even more remarkable.
transform Ghana. The Manifesto is our
We demonstrated that with prudent compact with you, the people of Ghana,
management, the negative impact of the and given our record of promising and
global challenges could be managed. Our delivering, we urge you to renew our
economy is becoming more robust and mandate with a massive vote for the NDCs
resilient and this has led to several positive Presidential and Parliamentary candidates
forecasts and a better outlook for Ghana in in December 2016.
the future.
you trust.
health, housing and water are providing
opportunities for the private sector to
create jobs.
We practiced an open, accountable and
responsive government, which contributed Vote for the NDC!
tremendously to the enjoyment of
personal freedoms, the maintenance of
peace and security and the protection of
our territorial integrity.
We are deeply committed to continuing
the good work of the past four years
and we are confident that the good
people of Ghana will continue to repose
confidence in the stewardship of John
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